Be prepared for a TON of photos because I washouts so excited/proud over this make and I couldn’t pic my favorites. I’ve had my eye on this pattern for a long time. Last year when I was going over holes in my wardrobe I realized I didn’t have a casual-but-warm coat. My other warm coat is longer, lighter in color, and more feminine. Instantly I thought of the Gerard Coat by Republique du Chiffon. Keep reading for all the info and fun little details I added to this coat.
I can’t even tell you how amazing this pattern is. I love the clean, classic menswear inspired lines. Thats what made me fall in love with it from the moment I saw it. Throw in the lapels & welt pockets and I was sold. Although my style is typically quite feminine, in the colder months I tend to go for a more preppy/masculine look. I especially love when I get to combine the two.
I cut the size Small and I think the fit is perfect. One AMAZING thing about this pattern is that it provides options for different lengths (depending on how tall you are). This was SO CONVENIENT as I was anticipating having to chop off the sleeves and hem a bunch. But I simply cut the shorter length and everything was just right. I didn’t make a muslin I just sort of tried it on as I went (typical me being lazy) but it worked out great. Y’all – these pockets are SO BIG! It’s absolutely amazing. I can literally fit a bottle of water in them. PS did you notice my stellar plaid matching at center back!?
There were a couple of things that I was not super crazy about with this pattern. Firstly, they dont offer it in PDF. Which is fine – no big deal – I just ordered the paper copy. It came, I opened it, and ITS LAYERED…. (insert seamstress face of terror here). Meaning all the pattern pieces are just laid out on top of one another and you have to trace them off. I’m guessing this is to save paper but its a nightmare let me tell ya. The other thing isn’t that big of a deal if you are an experienced seamstress, but I wouldn’t give it a go if this is your first coat and you don’t speak french. I ordered the english version, and the instructions are indeed in english. However, the illustrations are still labeled in french. Also the instructions are very bare-bones (think big 4 style). Not a lot of the excessive (but quite helpful) explanation we are used to when sewing with indie patterns. I’ve made a few coats before so I muscled my way through it, but I definitely would not choose this as a first-ever coat making project.
The fabric is from my stash. It’s a deliciously thick plaid wool I was graciously gifted from an NYC internship (if you’ve been following me for a while you’re probably noticing a pattern with this fabric source). I was so happy when I trusted it enough to pack it on our holiday trip to St. Louis where we were graced with single digit temperatures and I was actually warm!!! The lining I surprisingly also had on hand and I love the perfect contrast it gives. I have no idea where I got it (funny how that happens). It’s a light jade green and looks great against the dark green/brown of the plaid. I just love the way a cleanly finished coat looks inside out – dont you!?
As one of my sewing resolutions to take the time to add more fun details into my handmade garments, I decided to throw on some leather elbow patches. I absolutely LOVE the vintage-y feel of elbow patches. And I had stolen these off a thrifted blazer I was getting rid of. I just kept them in my stash knowing one day I’d have the perfect use for them and TA-DA!!
Since I was going all out for the elbow patches, I wanted to make sure to do something special for the buttons as well. Unfortunately I couldn’t get a great photograph, but they are the wooden coat buttons from Arrow Mountain. I’ve been such a fan of their buttons for so long, I knew I didn’t have anything appropriate in my stash, and I was excited to have a project special enough to warrant a purchase! I love the way the warmth of the buttons ties in with the elbow patches.
Sadly, the temperatures have warmed up a bit too much to wear this beauty here in Texas. But it is safe in the closet awaiting next years winter!
SKIP TO THE END?
Pattern: Gerard Coat by Republique du Chiffon
Fabric: Plaid wool from stash, Jade lining from stash
Notions: Wooden buttons from Arrow Mountain
Difficulty:Advanced
Adjustments: None!
Finishes: Clean finished with lining
See it in action on you tube!!!
Have you made this coat? Do you love it as much as I do?
Happy Sewing!
You did a great job, it looks awesome on you!! You live in a rather warm area, right? I hope you get to wear it lots after all! I want to try to sew a coat this year too, it just feels a little bit scary because it feels like it’s going to be like, my sewing masterpiece, haha!
Yes! It’s traditionally warm here but we are having a long winter so yeay for me! You should totally make a coat! It’s definitely a longer, more intricate project but you get such a feeling of accomplishment when you are done.
It’s so beautiful! I love this style too